Funding cut coud be a death blow for Radio K

If you love music, believe in student-run media or are considering a career in business, broadcasting, journalism or communications, it's time to stand up and make your voice heard.

Today, a subcommittee of the University's Student Services Fees Committee will hear public reaction to its recommendations concerning a number of organizations, including Radio K.

The subcommittee is currently recommending a dramatic reduction of more than 30 percent to the Radio K fees request.

The subcommittee seems to think few people know or care about Radio K's presence, and that it fails to provide an essential educational environment for students on this campus. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At a university with minimal hands-on training for business majors, Radio K provides students with opportunities to manage the daily operations of a 5,000-watt radio station.

At a university with minimal training for broadcasters, Radio K gives students the opportunity to be a DJ for an audience of tens of thousands, learn to master industry equipment and computer programs, work one-on-one with a voice coach and volunteer in a 24-hour news department.

Radio K also offers students an unprecedented partnership with Access Minnesota, a weekly public affairs program carried on nearly 50 stations statewide.

In a city with fewer and fewer voices on the airwaves, Radio K has come to attract an international audience who appreciate its diverse, eclectic mix of music.

Radio K routinely goes out into the community and aids Coffman Union in sponsoring music-oriented events for the entire student body. The proposed decrease would be a devastating blow to this University fixture.

A few weeks ago The Minnesota Daily's editorial board called for greater funding and support for Radio K. At a time of rampant media consolidation and increased competition from Minnesota Public Radio, protecting this incomparable educational institution should be a top priority.

But its dozens of daily volunteers and thousands of listeners can only do so much. Let the University know what Radio K means to you. Attend today's meeting at 4 p.m. in 214 Murphy Hall. Help the subcommittee see what they have thus far been blind to.

Sarah Klaphake is a University student and Radio K volunteer. Please send comments to letters@mndaily.com.